BP Wind Energy Executives Welcome Congressman Canseco and Local Elected Officials to Dedication of Newest Wind Farm in Texas

Published: February 23, 2012

Company invests over $1 billion in wind power in Texas.

BP Wind Energy executives today welcomed special guests including Congressman Francisco "Quico" Canseco, landowners, local elected officials and community leaders to a dedication ceremony to mark the full commercial operation of the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm in Pecos County, West Texas. The 150 megawatt (MW) wind farm is owned and operated 100 percent by BP, and will generate enough electricity to power 45,000 average American homes.

Congressman Canseco commented: "We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy, especially when hard working American families are being hurt by increasing gas prices. We can create a lot of energy right here in Texas and projects like the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm will ensure that we don’t miss opportunities to make America more energy independent."

Located on a 20,000-acre site some 30 miles east of Fort Stockton, the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm utilizes 60 Clipper Windpower C-96 wind turbines each with a rated capacity of 2.5 MW. Approximately 250 workers were employed during peak construction of the facility and some 12 permanent workers are employed to monitor and maintain the wind farm now that it is operational.

"Texas is a leader in promoting renewable power generation and this aligns well with BP's commitment to produce essential sources of energy and provide cost-competitive power to our customers," said John Graham, president and CEO, BP Wind Energy. "The wind industry is a tremendous made-in-America story that has created thousands of manufacturing jobs and led to significant improvements in wind turbine technology and power generation. The production tax credit (PTC) has created a new business model that has attracted billions in private investment and we urge Congress to allow the industry to finish the job and extend the PTC."

"From the first phases of construction, to today's dedication and on into the future, BP's Sherbino 2 Wind Farm has had, and will continue to have, a major positive impact on the economy of Pecos County," said Doug May, economic development director, Fort Stockton.

The power output from the Sherbino 2 Wind Farm will be delivered into the transmission system managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and sold on the wholesale power market.

About BP

BP is one of the world's largest energy companies. In the US, BP has approximately $52 billion in assets and employs some 23,000 staff. The company's main businesses are exploration and production of oil and gas; refining, manufacturing and marketing of oil products and petrochemicals; transportation and marketing of natural gas.

With a growing business in wind power and advanced biofuels, BP Alternative Energy has invested around $7 billion in energy development, $4 billion of that in the U.S. BP Wind Energy is a principal owner and operator of wind power facilities with interests in 13 wind farms. BP Wind Energy has a gross generating capacity of 1,955 MW – enough electricity to power over 586,000 average American homes. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.bpalternativenergy.com.

Included in BP Wind Energy’s portfolio in Texas is:

The 150 MW Sherbino 1 Wind Farm. The wind farm became commercially operational in October 2008 and is a joint venture between BP Wind Energy and NRG Energy. The Sherbino 1 Wind Farm utilizes 50 Vestas 3 MW wind turbine generators. The power output from the Sherbino 1 Wind Farm is delivered into the transmission system managed by ERCOT and sold on the wholesale power market. BP Wind Energy is operator.

The 60 MW Silver Star 1 Wind Farm. The Silver Star 1 Wind Farm is 100 percent owned and operated by BP Wind Energy. The wind farm became operational in September 2008 and utilizes 24 Clipper Windpower C-96 wind turbines each with a rated capacity of 2.5 MW. Power produced from the wind farm is delivered into the transmission system managed by ERCOT and sold on the wholesale power market.

The 225 MW Trinity Hills Wind Farm became operational in February 2012. Located in Archer and Young counties, the project is owned and operated 100 percent by BP Wind Energy. The Trinity Hills Wind Farm utilizes 90 Clipper Windpower C-96 turbines each with a rated capacity of 2.5 MW. Power produced from the wind farm is delivered into the transmission system managed by ERCOT and sold on the wholesale power market.